Grand jury meaning

A grand jury is a group of citizens convened to review evidence and determine if there is enough evidence to indict a suspect for a crime.


Grand jury definitions

Word backwards dnarg yruj
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "grand jury" is noun.
Syllabic division grand ju-ry
Plural The plural of "grand jury" is "grand juries."
Total letters 9
Vogais (2) a,u
Consonants (6) g,r,n,d,j,y

Grand jury is a legal body that is empowered to conduct official proceedings to investigate potential criminal conduct and to determine whether criminal charges should be brought against an individual. This process is typically used in the United States legal system to determine if there is enough evidence to indict a suspect and proceed to trial.

Grand juries are different from trial juries in that they are not responsible for determining guilt or innocence. Instead, they review evidence presented by prosecutors and decide whether there is enough probable cause to issue an indictment. Grand juries are made up of citizens who are selected from the community and serve for a specific period of time.

How does a grand jury work?

Grand jury proceedings are held in secret, and the members of the grand jury are sworn to secrecy. The prosecutor presents evidence, including witness testimony, documents, and other forms of evidence, to the grand jury. The grand jury then decides whether there is enough evidence to indict the suspect.

Indictment and trial

If the grand jury issues an indictment, the case proceeds to trial, where the defendant will have the opportunity to present their defense. If no indictment is issued, the suspect is released, and the case does not move forward.

Grand juries serve an important role in the legal system by acting as a check on prosecutorial power. They provide an independent review of the evidence presented by prosecutors and help ensure that there is sufficient evidence to justify bringing criminal charges against an individual.

Overall, grand juries play a crucial role in the criminal justice system by safeguarding individuals' rights and preventing unwarranted prosecutions. Their work helps uphold the principles of due process and fairness in criminal proceedings.


Grand jury Examples

  1. The grand jury returned a true bill, indicting the suspect for murder.
  2. The grand jury was convened to investigate allegations of corruption within the police department.
  3. The grand jury proceedings are held in secret to protect the integrity of the investigation.
  4. The grand jury decided not to press charges against the defendant due to lack of evidence.
  5. The grand jury system is an important part of the criminal justice process in the United States.
  6. The grand jury is composed of citizens who are tasked with determining if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
  7. The grand jury's decision to indict the mayor sent shockwaves through the city.
  8. The grand jury's findings led to the arrest of several high-ranking officials.
  9. The grand jury's report recommended sweeping changes to the way the department handles cases of police misconduct.
  10. The grand jury's role is to serve as a check on prosecutorial power and protect citizens from unfounded charges.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 28/04/2024 - 15:31:06